Swedish Minister Meets Gay Activists in Uganda

STOCKHOLM -- Sweden’s finance minister has visited a group of gay activists in Uganda, lending his support to their plight after the country’s president signed an anti-gay bill that punishes gay sex with up to life in prison.

Anders Borg, who is in Uganda to discuss economic growth in east Africa, told Radio Sweden on Tuesday he met with the activists immediately upon arriving in the country.

He also said he plans to bring up the issue when he meets with Uganda’s finance minister, Maria Kiwanuka, later Tuesday.

The anti-gay law has been condemned around the world. Sweden’s Minister for International Development Cooperation Hillevi Engstrom on Monday said Sweden will consider redirecting its planned 70 million Swedish kronor ($10.7 million) in aid to the Ugandan state.

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